Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-15
THE rock sasoeE ALUm.
Catesy. Goodsess. and Gssdness %
sfsese springs.


fCorrespondcnce Of tho Richmond Dispstco.I
RocKBRDog ALUM STRINGS, !.
July IL, 1887.
After short but pleasant ride in an
old Virginia stage-coach, by means OF
which the beauties Of nature were har-
moniously blended with various sud-
den and unlooked.for jars and bumps,
arrived at the Rockbridge Alum. The
company Of newcomers were greeted
by the merry and bewitching crowd OF
girls who invariably assemble to count
the number OF arrivals and seek IA
miliar faces. In fact. the whole place
breathes forth a welcome Of sociablIify,
and the kind old words. 1.-The morc
the merrer," are plainly written on the
features of every guest
The Rockbridge Alum Springs are too
well known TO require a detailed de-
scription, and for years they have
rivalled the leading watering places OF
the South, both in social attractions
and as q resort for invalids. III ono
wishes quiet and rest he may have 1t
here. Ii. on the other hand, he de-
sires the pleasures of life and the De.
lightful company Of the fair sex,
here also may he find that in its most
delightful form.
The hotel and cottages, with ca
pacity for 1000 guests, are situateN IN
the midst of a beautifully sloping
lawn. whilst on every side the lofty
peaks of the Blue Ridge bury their
pine-clsd heads in the clouds, or fade
by successive tints of blue until noun
tain and cloud are one. thereby re-
calling the well-known words OF the
poet:
Far, vague, and dim the mountains SWIM
The accommodations for guests and
the cuisine are unsurpassed, while
every form of amusement presents
itself. Under this head, and at tho
head, are the ladies; then the dudes,
including the captivating cadet, with
his brazen buttons while "papa can
amuse himself on the more staid topics
of the world by conversing with yon
"old Virginia gentleman, whose so
ciability and disposition to "chln
never give out, and he can converse
with equal fluency on crops, politics,
and ailments.
The veranda is scene OF laziness
and blissful enjoyment, in which to-
bacco-smoke and old gentlemen are the
principal actors. although the "genial
small boy" comes forth in mis- merri-
ment and scampereth over the newly
polished boots Of the dude who lieth
in wait for the fair damsel. The con-
versation goes through the usual mas
culine forms, in which "our town is
fully discussed with great patriotism
and sometimes considerable exaggera-
tion, but invariably it all ends in mar
vellous stories of snakes, horses, and
dogs.
The following dog story received tho
premium, and the Judge and MA
ior" threw away their cigars in dis
gust, for they were overcome A gen.
teman, finding the time for paying his
dog license drawing near, said unto his
dog LOOK here, sir; l have b. pay
dollar for your license, and that
money must he gotten somewhere or
other The dog evidently male) said
nothing, but went away wagging his
tail, and soon returned bearing dol
lar note, which he deposited in his
masters hands. This dog has been
at these Springs this summer, but left
before my arrival.
Whilst casting my eye around
amongst the rosy checked maidens /
notice certain little ornaments Of dress
and person which Richmond has not yet
assumed. One which particularly at
tracts my attention ia the beautifully
carved silver belts-don't tremblc,
fathers and husbands, for what tiny
waists they oncircle-which the ladies
wear. They arm themselves with little
daggers. too, doubtless TO keep of the
too enthusiastic victims Of Cupid for
who can resist them But j must lay
aside my enthusiastic pen, for what
poetic sentiment can overcome the
iondness for o dinner served by such q
host as Colonel George l.. Peyton?
r. C.